European Rivers' Shrinking Levels Disrupt Power and Transport Sectors
Europe's major rivers, including the Danube, Rhine, and Loire, are experiencing significant reductions in water levels due to prolonged heat and drought conditions. This situation is impacting electricity production, shipping, and agriculture across the continent. Austrian utility Verbund and French state-owned EDF have reported substantial earnings reductions due to decreased hydropower generation. In Italy, the Po River basin is facing high water scarcity, affecting rice farming and drinking water supplies. The Danube's low water levels have forced Hungary's Paks nuclear power plant to reduce output, and Romania has shut down reactors at its Cernavoda nuclear power plant. These disruptions are causing countries like Hungary and Serbia to import electricity, which is becoming more expensive due to high demand during heatwaves. 
